The Top 40 Products of 2018

The following product roundup features the Top 40 products of the year, as chosen by the readers of Roofing magazine. The products were selected based on the number of reader requests for sales leads through the Reader Action Card in the print issue and the number of clicks on the website, www.RoofingMagazine.com, including those generated through our monthly e-newsletter. The product generating the most leads from each print issue is also featured as our “Roofers’ Choice” product, and the 2018 winners are also included here. If you have a new product you’d like us to consider for a future edition of our Materials & Gadgets section, please email Editor-in-Chief Chris King at [email protected].

Roof Leveling Compound Helps Eliminate Ponding Water

GreenSlope is a roof leveling compound that helps eliminate water ponding areas on flat rooftops. The cured material is similar to that of a professional running track or playground surface and can withstand tough climates as well as heavy foot traffic. According to the manufacturer, the product is designed to fill in low areas and bring the roof back to its original slope, directing water toward drainage areas. It is designed for use on EPDM, TPO, PVC, modified bitumen and metal roofs. Made from EPDM, GreenSlope is lightweight, durable, and able to withstand freeze-thaw cycles. Other uses include protecting curbs, filling low areas near drains, establishing walk pads and filling pitch pans. Greenslope.co

New Product Line Secures Rooftop Pipes and Struts

Green Link introduces a family of custom-engineered, molded straps and caps for securing pipes and struts for its KnuckleHead rooftop support product line. Straps have been designed for both Heavy Pipe and Strut Support KnuckleHeads, while a cap design was developed for Lite Pipe Supports. All are molded from tough, weatherproof urethane and feature a striking “safety yellow” color. The Heavy Pipe KnuckleHead strap secures a 3-inch outside diameter pipe, while the Strut Support strap fits steel or aluminum Unistrut-type channel. The Lite Pipe Support cap is designed to secure a single 1-inch nominal pipe or two ½-inch nominal pipes. The Strut Support straps are available in nominal pipe sizes ranging from ¼ inch to 6 inches. www.Greenlinkengineering.com

Stainless Steel Bi-Metal Drill Screws Are Corrosion Resistant

Triangle Fastener Corporation introduces a full line of 304 stainless steel bi-metal self-drilling screws. Bi-metal screws have heads and threads made of 304 stainless steel, providing corrosion resistance and ductility. A hardened carbon steel drill point welded to a stainless steel body allows the screw to drill and tap steel up to 1/2 inch thick. The screws are used to attach aluminum, stainless steel, insulated metal panels (IMPs) and when ductility is needed in the connection. They are available in #12 and 1/4-inch diameters in lengths up to 12 inches. Head styles include: hex washer head, pancake head and button head. www.Trianglefastener.com

Insulation Board Contains No Halogenated Compounds

GAF introduces a new non-halogen polyisocyanurate insulation: EnergyGuard NH Polyiso Insulation Board. According to the manufacturer, the development of EnergyGuard NH Polyiso Insulation Board demonstrates the GAF commitment to providing architects, contractors, and building owners with affordable products that help them meet their sustainable and environmental design goals, by offering products that do not contain halogenated compounds. As with their current EnergyGuard Polyiso Insulation, this product line offers high insulating values to help save on energy costs and is available in a variety of thicknesses. Easy cutting in the field provides the installer with simple fabricating on the roof deck. www.GAF.com

Pre-Weathered Fastener Matches Corten Panels

Lakeside Construction Fasteners offers the new high-strength COR-10 WOOD-Xfastener, which is engineered to secure Corten metal panels into hardwood decking substrates. It is pre-weathered for an exact Corten metal panel color match, eliminating the need to wait for fasteners to be painted or weathered to match. The fastener is available in sizes from 1 inch to 3 inches, and it features an EPDM washer to ensure a sealed protective barrier. According to the manufacturer, its high-low threads and sharp T-17 cut point allows the fastener to quickly penetrate the Corten metal panel for low-cost installation. www.Lakeside-Fasteners.com

Insulation Board Designed for High Load-Bearing Applications

Kingspan Insulation has expanded its commercial product offering by introducing GreenGuard Type VII XPS Insulation Board. The product is designed for high load-bearing engineered applications requiring insulation with a minimum compressive strength of 60 psi. Type VII XPS is primarily used in commercial roofing applications, such as protected membrane and pedestal paver systems. According to the manufacturer, the insulation board offers an R-value of 5.0 per inch of thickness and meets ASTM C578 Type VII requirements. The product retains its insulating properties over time, has high water resistance and is HCFC-free. Kingspaninsulation.us

Portable RhinoBond Hand Welder Designed for Use in Tight Spaces

OMG Roofing Products introduces the RhinoBond Hand Welder. Based on patented Sinch Technology, the portable RhinoBond Hand Welder is designed to help roofers weld RhinoBond Plates in tight spaces, such as under raised rooftop equipment, and on vertical surfaces. The ergonomically designed tool features a vibrating handle and an indicator light that lets roofers know when the tool is activated and when the weld cycle is complete. The base is recessed and features centering indicator lines to help usersproperly align the tool over installed RhinoBond Plates for optimum bonding and improved productivity. www.OMGRoofing.com

High-Visibility Primer Improves Adhesion for Acrylic Coatings

KM Coatings offers KM SP 1000, a VOC-compliant, solvent-based primer designed to improve the adhesion of acrylic coatings to most aged TPO and PVC membranes. According to the manufacturer, using this primer with a KM-approved acrylic coating provides excellent coverage and long-term protection. Its orange color enables strong identification for the applicator to achieve complete monolithic surface application. www.KMcoatings.us

Two-Component SPF Adhesive Provides More Coverage

Soprema introduces a low-pressure, two-component spray polyurethane foam (SPF) adhesive to its DUOTACK family of roofing adhesive products. DUOTACK SPF was designed to provide quick, efficient adhesion of PVC membranes, insulation and cover boards to approved substrates. According to the manufacturer, the product was developed by Soprema chemists with vast knowledge and experience in the roofing and polyurethane foam industry to provide 50 percent more coverage and a faster flow rate than competing products. It also has usability in multiple applications without the need for extensive inventory and expensive equipment, like pace carts. www.Soprema.us

Adhesive-Free Attachment System Eliminates Temperature Restrictions

Carlisle SynTec Systems introduces its RapidLock (RL) Roofing System. This adhesive-free system uses VELCRO Brand Securable Solutions to fully attach 115-mil FleeceBACK RL EPDM or FleeceBACK RL TPO to InsulBase RL or SecurShield HD RL polyiso insulation. According to the manufacturer, the RapidLock system does away with temperature restrictions, has no VOCs or odors, offers wind uplift ratings comparable to traditional fully adhered single-ply systems and has a Factory Mutual 1-90 approval rating. The adhesive-free system also saves time and labor. www.CarlisleSynTec.com

High-Performance Adhesive/Sealant Anchors Rooftop Supports

Green Link offers a new adhesive/sealant designed for use with the company’s KnuckleHead Rooftop Support System. The product bonds and seals the KnuckleHead Universal Base and is effective on a wide range of roof surfaces. The new adhesive/sealant has been specially formulated to adhere to PVC, EPDM, TPO, and modified bitumen, as well as the KnuckleHead base itself, which is composed of glass-reinforced nylon. According to the company, it will not discolor from UV exposure, can be applied at temperatures as low as 32 degrees, and is capable of joint movement in excess of 35 percent. www.Greenlinkengineering.com

Cap Stapler OffersEasier Loading and Extended Tool Life

National Nail announces the upgraded 18-gauge Stinger CS150B cap stapler with an enhanced design that improves performance with easier loading, longer tool life, and tool-free adjustable exhaust. Shooting 200 caps and 200 staples before reloading, the versatile cap stapler now also provides a wider range of operating pressure (up to 120 psi) for installing roofing underlayments, house wrap, and foamboard. The Stinger CS150B shoots 5/8-inch, 7/8-inch, 1-1/4-inch, and 1-1/2-inch length 18-gauge staples with full 1-inch plastic caps. It also includes an installed belt hook and durable carrying case. www.Stingerworld.com

Composite Shake Shingles Offered in New Colors

DaVinci Roofscapes launches the Nature Crafted Collection of composite shake shingles, which includes three realistic, nature-inspired colors: Aged Cedar,Mossy Cedarand Black Oak.According to the manufacturer, each new color reflects different progressive aging processes found on real shake shingles. Each tile has been crafted to resist fire and impact, along with high winds, mold, algae, fungus and insects. The Nature Crafted Collection is available on all DaVinci Multi-Width and Single-Width Shake composite roofing tiles. www.DaVinciRoofscapes.com

Solar Mounting Platform Designed for Exposed Fastener Panels

S-5! introduces the SolarFoot, a mounting platform designed for exposed fastener metal roofing. With four points of attachment, it provides an ideal mounting platform to attach the L-Foot of a rail-mounted solar system or other ancillaries to the roof. According to the manufacturer, the SolarFoot ensures a durable, weathertight solution for the life of the solar system and the roof. Each piece contains two reservoirs of a factory-applied butyl co-polymeric sealant, allowing a water-tested seal. Simply peel the release paper from the butyl sealant and fasten through the predrilled holes in the base of the SolarFoot. www.S-5.com

3-D Modeling Tool Aids in Solar Design Projects

Aurora Solar Inc., a solar design software company, offers SmartRoof, a tool that allows anyone to accurately and easily model residential and commercial sites for solar projects. According to the company, SmartRoof intelligently infers the internal structure of a roof after a few clicks, reducing solar design time and difficulty.According to the company, SmartRoof requires just an outline of the perimeter of the roof to automatically infer its internal structure. It allows solar designers to drag and drop dormers into the model.The remote site modeling tool enables designers to intersect multiple roof structures, making modeling of complex roof structures significantly easier. www.AuroraSolar.com

Perforated Starter Shingle Designed to Save Time, Reduce Waste

TAMKO Building Products introduces the Perforated Starter shingle to its roofing product line. Made from fiberglass mat coated with asphalt and surfaced with ceramic granules, the Perforated Starter course shingle is the answer to roofing contractors need for an easy to install starter strip prior to shingle application. The perforation ensures that contractors no longer lose time field cutting shingles to the appropriate size while reducing related waste. The product can be used with TAMKO’s full line of asphalt shingles, including the Heritage series laminated asphalt shingles and Elite Glass-Seal 3-Tab shingles. www.TAMKO.com

Snow-Retention System Utilizes Snap-Fit Design

AceClamp offers the Color Snap, a patented snow-retention system that utilizes a snap-fit design. The product ships to roofers with fully assembled, ready-to-install components and snap-in ice clips. Color Snap is available for either standing seam metal roofing or membrane roofing with a variant of the product known as Color Snap-M. According to the company, both varieties offer greater installation flexibility, are easier to install, and help to reduce labor costs by minimizing preparatory tasks. www.AceClamp.com

Sheet Metal Brake Designed to Reduce Labor Costs

Roper Whitney releases the Autobrake 1212, which is designed to provide accuracy and repeatability when forming 12-gauge mill steel and 14-gauge stainless steel. It features the rotating Kombi beam, which expands the machine’s folding capabilities to produce straight to box and pan bending in just 11 seconds. The box tooling is 6.3 inches in height, precision ground and laser hardened to 60. Pieces are also laser etched with the length of the tool for easy box setup. Optional left-hand or right-hand back gauge extension provides superior material positioning. Maximum 12-foot back gauge travels in less than three seconds and is provided by the six-stage design combining high speed with compact space requirements. www.RoperWhitney.com

Modified Bitumen Products Can Now Be Applied in Colder Temperatures

CertainTeed’s Flintlastic SA (self-adhering) modified asphalt low-slope roof systems can now be installed in temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the manufacturer, the products can be installed using an application method that is safe for both installers and building occupants, as it uses no kettles or flames and has no hazardous or noxious fumes. Roofing pros only need a hot air welder and silicone roller to complete installations in cold weather, and the change is designed to help alleviate costly weather delays while making a direct impact on roofing contractor’s bottom line. www.CertainTeed.com

Multi-Purpose Joint Sealant Adheres to Damp Surfaces

Kemper System AmericaInc.offers GreatSealPE-150, a single-component joint sealant designed for long-lasting weathertight seals. According to the manufacturer, it is ideal for sealing joints in roofing, walls and masonry, as well as gaps around penetrations, flashings, windows and doors. According to the company, the product adheres even on damp surfaces, can be applied in cold weather, and in most cases, without a primer. It bonds aggressively to most building materials, including wood, vinyl, glass, fiberglass, foam insulation, asphalt, modified bitumen, EPDM, PVC, PIB rubber, and Kynarcoatings, as well as painted, galvanized and anodized metals. www.Kempersystem.net

New Colors Available for Concrete Tile Line

Boral Roofing LLC introduces a set of new colors for its signature concrete roof tile line. Inspired by the beach landscape, the six new hues in the collection are particularly well suited to complement homes of the contemporary and transitional architectural styles, according to the manufacturer. The collection includes new colors Ashen Blend, Café Sand Blend, Mottled White Blend, Atmosphere Blend, Oceana Blend, and Beach Blonde Blend, with each shade reflecting an element commonly found at the seaside. The tile is low maintenance, offers a Class A fire rating, and is fully recyclable at the end of its life on the roof. www.Boralamerica.com/roofing

New Sealant and Patch Mastic Designed for Durability, Sustainability

Chem Link launches NovaLink FP, a flash and patch mastic product, available in a 10.1-ounce cartridge. NovaLink FP is a high-quality, moisture-curing elastomeric waterproofing and sealant designed to fill, seal and level grout lines, voids, seams and surface damage on construction materials prior to application of liquid waterproofing. According to the manufacturer, the product is also useful for repairing roof leaks, asphalt shingles, roof valleys and seams, chimney flashings and in emergency roof repair situations. www.ChemLink.com

Shingles Offer Time-Release Technology to Fight Algae Growth

Seeking to reduce the prevalence of unsightly shingle discoloration caused by blue-green algae growth, which impacts 80 percent of U.S. homes, GAF introduces StainGuard Plus Technology. According to the manufacturer, the company’s proprietary time-release copper ion technology releases 10 times as much stain-fighting copper as its traditional copper coated mineral granules to better resist the growth of algae. This technology is currently available on GAF’s Timberline Ultra HD Stainguard Plus labeled shingles and is backed by a 25-year limited warranty against blue-green algae discoloration. www.GAF.com

Fasteners Designed to Attach Sheeting Over Rigid Insulation

Triangle Fastener Corporation expands its line of BLAZER Drill Screws with new sizes designed to attach metal panels over rigid insulation. These unique screws have two different threads with a gap in between that eliminates jacking of the panel during installation. According to the manufacturer, the special 1/4-14 “high thread” under the screw’s head secures the metal panel tightly against the head for optimal seal. The screws have a BLAZER3 drill point for fast penetration with less effort and a TRI-SEAL spray coating for corrosion protection. They are available in lengths including: 1-7/8, 2-3/8, 3-1/4 and 4 inches. www.Trianglefastener.com

Hip and Ridge Product Offers Added Thickness

TAMKO Building Products Inc. introduces its new Heritage Designer Ridge asphalt shingle. Constructed with SBS modified bitumen technology, the high-profile ridge product is designed to add a look of polished sophistication to finish asphalt roofing projects with style, according to the manufacturer. Two layers of asphalt shingles are laminated together to produce the high-definition appearance of added dimension in the Heritage Designer Ridge, which is up to a half inch thicker than TAMKO’s standard Heritage hip and ridge product.The product is offered in 10-inch and 8-inch overlap. www.TAMKO.com

Storm Repair System Uses Shrink Wrapping Technology

Stormseal is a storm recovery system that protects damaged roofs or walls with a patented wind-, rain- and hail-resistant polyethylene film. The technology, pioneered in Australia, is now available in the United States. According to the manufacturer, Stormseal is designed to replace flapping, leaking, flyaway tarpaulins. The low-density patented polyethylene film is cut and fitted at the worksite with the heat “shrink wrapping” technique, changing the chemical structure of the film and enhancing its strength. www.Stormseal.com

New Electric Hoist Moves Operator Away From the Load

Safety Hoist Company launches its new electric material hoist, which moves the operator a safe distance away from the hoist and its load. According to the manufacturer, its unique pendant control makes this one of the safest hoists available today. The hoist runs on 110-volt electric household current, and its controlled descent enables safe, smooth transport both up and down. The electric hoist is quiet, environmentally-friendly, and free from harmful emissions, so it can be used both indoors and outdoors. It can handle up to 500 pounds without sacrificing speed or efficiency. www.SafetyHoistCompany.com

New Line of Fasteners Designed for Extreme Environments

The new 40-year Ply-Lo Extreme line of fasteners from East Coast Fasteners is designed for extreme environments. According to the manufacturer, Ply-Lo Extreme was successfully tested in accordance to ASTM B117 for more than 3,000 hours of salt spray. With all the features of the original Ply-Lo fastener, the Ply-Lo Extreme is available in #10, #12 and #14, with a 40-year warranty. www.Plyco.com

Adjustable Steep-Slope Roof Anchor Aids Ladder Access

The RIDGEPRO is a versatile and adjustable roof anchor that can be connected to the peak before stepping onto a steep-slope roof, allowing a safe transition on and off ladders on roofs with pitches ranging from 6/12 to 12/12. The innovative arch straddles ridge vents, and the adjustable, pitch-specific settings are designed to maximize contact between the product and the roof surface. Constructed from solid, aircraft-grade aluminum, it exceeds industry standard of 5,000-pound tensile strength test when anchored. www.TheRidgePro.com

Primer Adheres to Single-Ply Membranes

Everest Systems offers Everprime All Ply, a primer for various new and aged single-ply membranes. According to the manufacturer, this high-quality, plasticizer free, single component, solvent-based primer can be applied by a spray brush or a roller. The product is designed to provide exceptional adhesion to new and aged TPO and PVC membranes. In addition, this high-performance coating provides excellent surface for subsequent application of acrylic, 100 percent solids Silicone and fluoropolymer coatings. www.Everestsystemsco.com

Work Gloves Offer Advanced Fit, Safety and Comfort

PrimeSource Building Products offers GRX Gloves, a brand-new line of quality gloves designed to promote hand safety and offer value for American workers. According to the manufacturer, GRX Gloves offer workers the latest technology in comfort, fit and safety to deliver a range of tighter fitting, more breathable gloves for a variety of applications and weather conditions. The GRX glove line will be available through the PrimeSource network of pro-contractor supply location and pro-supply locations like 84 Lumber and BMC. www.PrimesourceBP.com

Retrofit Roof Drains Feature Integrated Vortex Breaker

OMG Roofing Products introduces a new line of retrofit roof drains called Hercules-Plus. The drains feature integrated vortex breaker technology, which helps improve drain performance to quickly remove water from the roof. According to the manufacturer, independent performance testing shows that Hercules-Plus RetroDrains provide up to 2.5 times greater flow capacity than original Hercules Drains without vortex breaker technology. Drains are available in four sizes: 3 inches, 4 inches, 5 inches and 6 inches, and with an optional TPO or PVC coated flange for direct membrane attachment. www.OMGRoofing.com

Conductive Primer Developed for Electronic Testing

Detec Systems has developed TruGround, a conductive primer which enables accurate electronic leak detection (ELD) testing on conventional roof membranes including black EPDM, TPO, PVC, modified bitumen, hot and cold fluid applied. According to the manufacturer, TruGround must be installed directly below the membrane per ASTM D7877. TruGround can be used for quality assurance testing on newly installed membranes and is chemically compatible with fully adhered, mechanically attached and torch-down membranes. Once applied, ELD testing can be performed for the life of the roof. Future breaches or seam voids can be quickly pinpointed, allowing repairs to be done immediately, preventing costly moisture damage from occurring. www.DetecSystems.com

Structural Acoustical Roof Decks Reduce Noise Levels

Tectum Structural Acoustical Roof Deck solutions from Armstrong Building Solutions provide predictable noise absorption, durability, and sustainability to meet building design needs. Composite roof deck options provide R-values up to 44. By providing noise absorption up to 0.80, the panels often eliminate the need for additional acoustical treatments, providing faster and easier installations than standard steel roof decks. According to the manufacturer, Tectum Roof Decks are an ideal noise reduction solution for large, high traffic, exposed structure spaces such as auditoriums, gymnasiums, arenas, pools, ice arenas and multi-use facilities. www.ArmstrongBuildingSolutions.com

Underlayment Can Be Used in Vertical Applications

MFM Building Products announces that its Ultra HT Wind & Water Seal high-temperature roofing underlayment can be used for vertical side wall applications. This self-adhering membrane is composed of a cool white, cross-laminated, high density polyethylene film laminated to a high-temperature rubberized asphalt adhesive system rated to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the manufacturer, this premium product is extremely tough, is self-sealing around fasteners and offers a 90-day UV exposure rating. The company states that Ultra HT is ideal for vertical applications under metal panel systems and parapet walls capped with metal tiles. Special installation instructions must be followed for all vertical applications. www.MFMbp.com

Gravity Vent Delivers Natural Ventilation

Acme Cone Company introduces a new gravity vent that delivers natural ventilation for buildings with single-ply roofs when windows and other ventilation solutions are not an option.The vent is available in standard sizes of 12, 18 and 24 inches in white, gray and tan. It is now available for order and immediate shipment.According to the company, contractors using Acme Cone’s prefabricated flashings benefit from more efficient and productive crews who aren’t spending unnecessary time flashing in the field. www.AcmeCone.com

Fluid-Applied Roofing System Available in New Colors

Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenancelaunches six new AlphaGuard BIO Top Coat colors: light gray, medium gray, dark gray, sand, beige and safety yellow. The line enables Tremco Roofing to better support its customers’ aesthetic and safety requirements on the company’s AlphaGuard BIO projects. AlphaGuard BIO, Tremco Roofing’s fluid-applied roofing system, is an excellent choice for restoring older but still functional roofs; both the Top Coat and Base Coat have received BioPreferred certification from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.The new colors add to an already robust palette for AlphaGuard Top Coat, which includes such options as terra cotta, garnet and patina green. www.TremcoRoofing.com

Pitch Pans Can Be Used on Horizontal and Vertical Surfaces

The new ShapeShift line from Mule-Hide Products Co. Inc. is a single solution for creating pitch pans for use in virtually any low-slope roofing job, including with smooth modified bitumen systems and on both horizontal and vertical surfaces. The line — consisting of ShapeShift Pitch Pan straight and outside corner sections and MP Liquid Sealant — can be used with EPDM, TPO, PVC, metal, spray polyurethane foam (SPF), elastomeric acrylic coating, smooth modified bitumen and smooth built-up roofing systems. The straight and corner sections feature interlocking joints and snap together to form square and rectangular pitch pans 4 inches by 4 inches and larger. www.MuleHide.com

Ridge Vent Provides 15 Square Inches of Net Free Area Per Foot

Keene Building Products offers Viper Vent, a patented, lightweight ridge vent that provides 15 square inches of net free vent area per linear foot. According to the manufacturer, its double-density edge provides superior strength and rigidity, ensuring its ability to maintain a sleek finished look that makes it virtually invisible from the curb. The filter is manufactured with extra thick fibers, and the company states the UV resistant textile allows it to provide superior airflow over its lifetime. Viper Vent is available in a variety of lengths and can be applied on an asphalt, wood, tile, metal, or slate roof. www.KeeneBuilding.com

Dual-Component Extruder Minimizes Downtime

The Garlock Cyclone 5/15 Dual-Component Extruder is designed to significantly reduce the time and materials needed to adhere rigid insulation and cover boards to structural roof decks, as well as adhering fleece backed single-ply membranes in both new roofing and recover operations. The Cyclone equally dispenses a two-component, 1:1 ratio low viscosity polyurethane adhesive. Users can access connectors and load chemical containers from the front without kneeling or crouching, and the adjustable gun assembly and ergonomic design help reduce application errors and training time. www.GarlockEquip.com